5 Things to Know Before Installing a Smart Door Lock

A home equipped with modern technology and connected devices is what many people imagine when thinking about a smart home.

Lights, speakers, TVs, screens, doors, and even door locks can now be automated or controlled through smart devices.

There are many different types of smart door locks on the market, including electronic deadbolts, keyless smart locks, and touchscreen keypad deadbolts. Choosing the right smart lock for your home requires understanding your existing door and lock first.

Here are five things you should know before choosing and installing a smart door lock:

Door Lock Types
Exterior Door Types and Materials
How to Measure Your Door
Smart Door Lock Types
Features of Smart Door Locks

1. Door Lock Types

Knob Lock

Knob locks are one of the most common types of locks and are often found on interior doors such as bathrooms and backyard doors.

Because the locking mechanism is located inside the knob, this type of lock can be relatively easy to damage with tools such as a wrench or hammer. Therefore, it is generally not recommended as the primary security lock for an exterior door.

One solution is to add a deadbolt smart lock or replace the knob lock with a smart lever lock.

Lever Handle Lock

Lever handle locks are commonly used on interior doors and are easy to grasp and operate.

Smart lever locks and deadbolt smart door locks may be suitable options for doors using this type of hardware.

Mortise Lock

A mortise lock is installed inside a pocket, known as a mortise, cut into the edge of the door.

Because the lock body is installed inside the door itself, replacing or upgrading a mortise lock usually requires checking the existing door dimensions and lock specifications.

Deadbolt Door Lock

Deadbolt locks are among the easiest types to upgrade to a smart lock.

For homeowners interested in DIY installation, many smart deadbolts are designed to use existing deadbolt holes and include quick installation instructions.

Cylinder Locks

There are several types of cylinder locks, including rim cylinders, mortise cylinders, and European cylinders.

Depending on the existing door configuration, a deadbolt smart lock may be suitable for this type of installation.

2. Exterior Door Types and Materials

Before purchasing an electronic door lock or smart keypad lock, make sure your door material and construction are compatible with the smart lock.

Common exterior door types include:

Panel doors
Double-leaf wooden doors
Storm doors
Windowed doors

Common exterior door materials include:

Steel
Wood
Fiberglass
Aluminum

3. How to Measure Your Door

The following measurements were originally provided to determine whether a door was compatible with the SGUDA U-Lock touchscreen smart deadbolt.

A. Door Width

Measure from the edge of the door.

The available door surface should be more than 10 cm wide.

B. Door Thickness

Door thickness should be greater than 1⅜ inches.

C. Latch Dimensions

Measure the width and length of the existing latch.

D. Distance Between Main Door and Exterior Gate

If there is another gate or security door outside the main door, the gap between the two doors should be greater than 4 inches.

E. Deadbolt Installation Measurements

For SGUDA U-Lock installation, check:

Backset
Door thickness
Latch dimensions
Required deadbolt hole position

4. Smart Door Lock Types

Deadbolt

A smart deadbolt is one of the easiest types of smart locks to install.

If your door already has a traditional deadbolt, upgrading is relatively simple because the existing hole can often be reused.

Example: SGUDA U-Lock smart deadbolt door lock.

Lever

Smart lever locks are suitable for replacing traditional lever locks or knob locks.

In many cases, no additional hole needs to be drilled during installation.

Mortise

Mortise smart locks are commonly used when replacing or upgrading an existing mortise lock system.

Because mortise systems vary considerably in size and construction, compatibility with the existing door and lock body should be confirmed before installation.